My Work // 2023

Kain Tayo

“The apartment I live in always seems to reek of grease, garlic, soy sauce, or fish. The rice cooker is always kept warm and the table is never empty. When visitors come, food is shoved into their mouths the second they arrive. Filipino food, to me, is colorful, flavorful, and diverse. However, with my white peers, it's foreign, exotic, and stinky. I wanted to convey this juxtaposition in a painting which explains my animalistic face while eating and abstract painting style. “Kain Tayo” is Tagalog for “let's eat” which is always a phrase that signifies good food and conversation; it is the place we come to celebrate despite the hate we receive away from the table”

Dimensions: 60cm x 91cm

Medium: Acrylic

Lola

“Often times it is the women in our society who uphold responsibilities pertaining to the family image. Here, I showcase my own grandmother but also countless other Lolas out there who have faced shame and abuse within Filipino culture. The icons in the background, such as the spam and Baybayin calligraphy, represent the cultural practices surrounding the Lola”

Dimensions: 35cm x 45cm

Medium: Acrylic